UNGA:Tinubu says Africa must reject coups, affirm democratic governance as best guarantor for sovereignty

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday emphasised the need for African countries to reaffirm their dedication to democratic government as the best safeguard for the sovereign will and welfare of the populace.

President Tinubu said this during his address to the 104 world leaders attending the ongoing 78th United Nations General Assembly, in New York USA.

President Tinubu, who also serves as the head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), underlined that military coups and any politically biassed civil arrangement that upholds injustice are unacceptable.

“We must affirm democratic governance as the best guarantor of the sovereign will and well-being of the people. Military coups are wrong, as is any tilted civilian political arrangement that perpetuates injustice,” the president said.

African nations have recently been subjected to a wave of ongoing juntas from the uranium-rich west African nation of Niger to the central region of Gabon, in what many experts view as aggressive military invasion. Long-standing democratic regimes in these nations were swiftly toppled by certain armed rebels.

Last month, troops from the Gabonese army working for the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions overthrew the government of  President Ali Bongo.

The revolution reportedly took place mere hours after Ali Bongo was declared the winner of Gabon’s presidential election, granting him a third term in office.

For Niger, it was a group of revolutionary military officers, ironically from his presidential guards, that overthrew his government.

WesternPost had reported how President Tinubu condemned the military invasion cautioning that African leaders should hold power rather than gun-toting generals.

President Tinubu has attempted to return power to democratic control by imposing some kind of sanctions on these military regimes while serving as chair of the ECOWAS group, but his efforts have been unsuccessful. These military regimes have repeatedly declared that military control will remain in place in their respective countries, claiming the egregious corruption and waste of public monies committed by these democratically elected leaders.

However, President Tinubu emphasised in his speech at the ongoing UNGA session that the wave currently sweeping across some of Africa does not indicate support for coups. He said it is a call for answers to age-old issues.

He also stated that there are ongoing levels of negotiation with the military leaders in Niger.

Therefore, he requested the assistance of world leaders in order to restore democratic governance in a way that solves the political and economic problems that nation is currently facing, especially the violent extremists who want to sow unrest in our region.

“The wave crossing parts of Africa does not demonstrate favour towards coups. It is a demand for solutions to perennial problems.

“Regarding Niger, we are negotiating with the military leaders. As Chairman of ECOWAS, I seek to help re-establish democratic governance in a manner that addresses the political and economic challenges confronting that nation, including the violent extremists who seek to foment instability in our region. I extend a hand of friendship to all who genuinely support this mission.”

The President who spoke on efforts he has made towards economic recovery since becoming Nigeria’s president, said the continent has been shortchanged for so long in the area of development.

He said, “African development as a priority, not just for Africa but in their interests as well.

“Due to both longstanding internal and external factors, Nigeria’s and Africa’s economic structures have been skewed to impede development, industrial expansion, job creation, and the equitable distribution of wealth.

“If Nigeria is to fulfil its duty to its people and the rest of Africa, we must create jobs and the belief in a better future for our people.

“To foster economic growth and investor confidence in Nigeria, I removed the costly and corrupt fuel subsidy while also discarding a noxious exchange rate system in my first days in office.

“Other growth and job oriented reforms are in the wings.

“I am mindful of the transient hardship that reform can cause. However, it is necessary to go through this phase in order to establish a foundation for durable growth and investment to build the economy our people deserve.”

The Nigerian president welcomed foreign investments into the country and the continent as a whole, expressing willingness to partner towards achieving the desired growth.

“We welcome partnerships with those who do not mind seeing Nigeria and Africa assume larger roles in the global community.

“The question is not whether Nigeria is open for business. The question is how much of the world is truly open to doing business with Nigeria and Africa in an equal, mutually beneficial manner.

“Direct investment in critical industries, opening their ports to a wider range and larger quantity of African exports and meaningful debt relief are important aspects of the cooperation we seek,” he added.